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FANTASY BOB'S CASUAL OBSERVATIONS ON CARLTON, CRICKET, LIFE AND ALL THAT OTHER STUFF

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

For a' that

Burns - overlooked by Wisden

For Scots everywhere, today is sporran polishing day. Known locally as Burns Nicht when tribute is paid to Scotland’s national bard Robert Burns.
Now Burns is yet another great figure to be mentioned by Fantasy Bob whose cricketing importance has not been properly respected by Wisden or CricInfo.

But have no fear, FB is here to correct those blind spots and shine the light of inquiry into these dark recesses of history. Here is the original version of Burns’ great egalitarian lyric

Is there for honest poverty
That hings his bat, an’ a’ that
The gowden duck, we pass him by
We’ll nae be oot for a’ that
For a’ that, an’ a’ that
We’re aff the mark for a’ that
The scorer’s pit it in the book
A run’s a run for a’ that

For through the slips oor shot has flown
It’s crossed the rope for a’ that
The bowler’s radge, the fielders moan
A four’s a four an’ a’ that
For a’ that, an’ a’ that
A big top edge an’ a’ that
The honest bat should aye play straight
A run’s a run for a’ that

Ye see yon birkie Pietersen
Wha struts an’ stares an’ a’ that
A' the world reminds him when
He couldna score for a’ that
For a’ that, an’ a’ that
His reverse sweep and a’ that
Holin’ oot at deep third man
Is nae damn good for a’ that

A Cook can mak a double ton
No breakin’ sweat an’ a’ that
But Fant’sy Bob slaves o’er a run
They’re rarer chiels for a’ that
For a’ that an’ a’ that
He taks a swing an’ a’ that
Aff either edge he disnae mind
A run’s a run for a’ that

Then let us pray that come it mun
(As come it will for a’ that)
That Fant’sy Bob’ll score a ton
An bear the gree an’ a’ that
For a’ that an’ a’ that
It’s coming yet for a’ that
That man to man, the world o’er
Shall cricketers be for a’ that